Hello TxGreaseMonkey,

I have a 2000 Accord SE 4cyl, 2.3L and my problem is that 1st Cold-Start of the day, the rest of the day the car starts fine. But, come tomorrow I have to break out the hair dryer again.

I put a hair dryer to the plug wires and distributor cap (2 or 3 minutes total) and bang the car will start 1st click.

I asked this question on another help site and he said to check the coil. Anyway, could you please tell me what is going on, why does the hair dryer trick work?

Thank you for your time and I look forward to your reply.

Glen

ireland31, the problem is moisture getting inside the distributor cap (missing, flatened, or deteriorated O-ring?) and penetrating the spark plug wires (old and porus?). This link should help:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-selected-other-vehicles-46563-5.html#post520809

If the distributor cap and spark plug wires have 60,000 miles on them, I would replace them; then, your problem should stop. Ensure the new distributor cap comes with an O-ring, which should be coated with silicone grease. On many Honda distributors the O-ring fits inside a machined groove in the distributor's housing. Simply pry it out, coat the new O-ring with silicone grease, and reinstall.

Thanks for straighting this thing out. What about using the hair dryer just on the plug wires next time the car does not start, will that not accomplish the same thing? I'm just not crazy about spraying water on a running engine. The guy's other suggestion sounds doable. That wonder gel sounds like the gear, I'll be picking up a tube of that for sure. If I can get out of this mess for $10 bucks, I'll be happy. Thanks again for your help.

You don't need to spray the water. We already know your's is a simple moisture problem--just replace the spark plug wires and either replace the O-ring or try applying silicone grease to the old one.